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- Written by: Editor
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- Written by: Editor
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- Written by: Editor
The one-day training at the Mother-Wise office in Lakeport covers the basics of home visiting, including recognizing the signs and effects of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or PMAD, including postpartum depression.
Trained Saathis are matched with a mom in their area. Each moms needs are different and how much support they’d like can range from friendly phone calls to weekly visits.
While volunteers are trained to notice signs of PMAD, their main role is simply being there with the mom through all of her joys and challenges.
The Saathi offers real support in the form of a listening ear and a helping hand while connecting moms to resources in the community that can help with the motherhood transition.
Volunteers say that this is a deeply satisfying role.
Annelle Durham, Mother-Wise Saathi writes, “Volunteering for Mother-Wise connects me with mothers and babies, and I have always had a very large soft spot for babies. I appreciate that Mother-Wise does not promote a particular way to parent but instead promotes supporting the mother in whatever way might be needed, within the frame work of the program, of course. The goal is to support the mother and thereby reduce the risk of the mother getting postpartum depression. I have played with an older sibling so the mother could spend time with her new born, I have sat with a baby at physical therapy so mom could get her treatment, I’ve gone to the laundry mat with mom and what looked like 15 loads of laundry, I’ve gone out with mom and baby for a bite to eat, stayed at home with them and just hung out, and I’ve even done a sink full of dishes. What the mom and I do depends on what the mom needs at that time. Much to my delight, the relationships I have created with some of these moms are lasting beyond the volunteer period.”
She added, “In addition to spending time with babies, Mother-Wise gives me opportunities to practice being non-judgmental. The mothers I am paired with are not my peers (I am 60) and I likely wouldn’t cross paths with them in any kind of meaningful way if it weren’t for Mother-Wise. I am not trying to change these Moms, or direct them in any particular way. As a representative of Mother-Wise I am saying that I believe in them and their ability to be good parents, and if they could use a little help I am there to provide just that. Under the best of circumstances having a newborn is a challenge and many moms have risk factors for Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Helping out, in such a tangible way, is its own source of satisfaction. And then of course, there are also those delightful baby smiles and laughs.”
Do you have basic knowledge of pregnancy, birth, babies and parenting and the skills to really listen and empathize? Do you also have a California driver’s license and the ability to travel locally?
Then join the amazing Mother-Wise team on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mother-Wise office, 180 N. Main St. in Lakeport. To register, call Jaclyn at 707-349-1210
Mother-Wise is a small grant-funded community program providing support to expecting and new moms in Lake County in effort to prevent and lessen the effects of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
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- Written by: Editor